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Our best overall cold plunge tub honor goes to the aptly named Plunge, while your wallet might love the G Ganen tub. Take a dip into the best tubs that provide physical and mental recovery.
You don’t need to be a pro athlete or pay for fancy spa treatments to enjoy the benefits of cold water therapy.
Cold exposure (aka cold water therapy) — the act of fully submerging yourself in freezing water — is believed to be highly beneficial for health, and it’s becoming more popular. In fact, there’s a growing number of cold plunge tubs on the market that you can add to your home.
We’ve rounded up our favorite cold plunge tubs that fit various needs, lifestyles, and budgets.
• reaches 39°F (4°C) • upgraded insulation system • large tank • highly energy efficient chiller • advanced filtration & ozone purification • extra ventilation
70 x 33 x 35 in
• covered protective area • modern, customizable design
• pricey • large • cover can be hard to maneuver
• free curbside delivery within the contiguous U.S. • returns within 45 days of delivery, subject to shipping costs & 5% restocking fee
When selecting our favorite cold tubs, we focused on the following criteria:
Versatility: To offer the most value, we looked for tubs that could be used both indoors and outdoors or could be transported to different locations.
Customer feedback: User experience is important and, while everyone is different, it can be very helpful to know that a product is generally favored by those who have tried it. These products have mostly favorable reviews.
Size: We looked for tubs in a variety of sizes to suit spaces both small and large.
Price range: The tubs range in size to suit different budgets.
Expert vetting: Each of these products has been vetted to ensure that they align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. You can read more about our vetting process.
While cold plunging and cold tub therapy are still rising in popularity and need more research, experts note many positive effects.
For example, one 2022 review of 104 studies found that scientific support for the benefits of voluntary cold water immersion is growing. However, the researchers noted that additional investigation and evidence are needed about this practice.
Some possible benefits of cold tube therapy noted in the review include:
There are potential hazards to using a cold plunge tub. Before you buy, check with a healthcare professional to assess your personal risks. These may be based on:
age
overall health
underlying health conditions
body size and composition
mobility
Do not use a cold plunge tub alone, especially if you are new to this experience. Accidents, drowning, and hypothermia, a dangerous drop in body temperature, are possible and may be more likely to occur if you are alone and inexperienced about cold plunge tub use.
Other potential hazards include hyperventilation, cognitive changes, and blood pressure changes.
Do not use a cold plunge tub after drinking alcohol or using recreational drugs.
If you’re new to cold plunging, these tips may help you use your tub safely:
Set a timer for a short period. The first plunge should only last for 30 seconds to a minute.
Do not exceed 2–3 minutes in the tub, or follow the manufacturer’s safety warnings.
Enter the tub feet first.
Breathe deeply while you let your body adjust.
If you feel dizzy, short of breath, or ill, get out of the tub.
Take long breaks of around 2 hours between plunges.
Let your body warm up naturally. Do not immerse yourself in warm water or take a warm shower.
You’ll find a wide variance in cold plunge tubs, but there are some key considerations to make when shopping, no matter what your needs and preferences are:
Purpose: Whether you’re a serious athlete looking to recover from sore muscles, you’re just wanting a new way to relax, or you’re somewhere in between, be sure to keep your purpose in mind. Ask yourself if indoor or outdoor use or both is important to you, too. Different cold plunge tubs are designed for different uses.
Size: Cold plunge tubs typically take up a fair amount of room, though there are a few smaller options. Be sure you’re shopping for what will actually fit your space.
Price: Cold plunge tubs run from about $60–$30,000 or even more. Be sure you’re looking at models that are comfortably within your budget. Also, don’t forget to work in any additional maintenance costs involved with a particular unit — including increases in your electric bill.
Warranties: Nothing is foolproof, even the highest quality tubs. Especially for high ticket items, a manufacturer should stand behind their product with a decent warranty.
Customer reviews: If you haven’t already tried a tub yourself or you don’t know anyone who owns one, read several customer reviews. Pay particular attention to any trends that you see. You’ll get great insight into a tub’s design, functionality, durability, and ease of use.
Cold tubs are often used to reduce swelling and inflammation that leads to muscle pain post-workout. Our blood vessels constrict in the cold. If you’re nursing an injury or your muscles are sore, this constriction reduces blood flow to the area and may reduce pain caused by inflammation.
How often you should change your cold tub’s water depends on the tub itself and the manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to read the information that comes with your tub or contact them if needed.
It can range from every few weeks to every few months or so. Generally, if you treat the water in your cold tub, you shouldn’t need to change the water as often.
Use a cover to help your cold plunge tub stay clean. The cover will help keep debris and dirt out of the water, maintain the water temperature, and reduce evaporation.
Your first plunge should only last for 30 seconds to a minute — it should not exceed 2–3 minutes.
If you’re more experienced, up to 5 minutes is all you may need, but you can increase it from there. Just do not exceed 15–20 minutes at a time. Any more than that may lead to frostbite.
Think about your needs, space, and budget when shopping around for cold plunge tubs. Many are designed for different purposes, come in various sizes, and accommodate many budgets.
Positive customer reviews and sufficient warranty coverage and length can be important factors in your decision, too.
Cold plunge tubs can help relieve muscle soreness after tough workouts and cool you down quickly. You’ll find a wide variety of options available, including inflatables, indoor and outdoor tubs, and compact tubs for individuals.
The great thing is prices vary widely, so you’re sure to find something in your budget that suits your needs.
How we reviewed this article:
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
